There is a room in an older science building that was originally designed for chemical storage; I am taking it over for our 180-day chemical waste accumulation area. Over the past few years it has been used for general storage (old chalkboards) and for faculty bike storage while they are on campus. The question is, can they continue to keep bikes in there along with the chemical waste.

I have said it's not a good idea due to security (number of people with access) and training issues, as Debbie mentioned. Two of the faculty in on the discussion are from the chemistry department, so feel they should continue to be able to access the space. One of them recently had his bicycle stolen from the hallway outside his office, so secure bike storage is really a hot button for him right now. There are two bike racks just outside the building, but during the school year these are usually quite full. Most of the faculty offices aren't large enough to keep a bike in while working, and if they are in the hallways the fire exits get blocked. This is an issue all over campus, I'm just making it more difficult by taking away the science faculty's locked room. They asked for input from my professional organization, so Thanks!

Leslie

On Mon, Jul 14, 2014 at 3:23 PM, Debbie M. Decker <dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu> wrote:

Yeah - we're a big bike campus, too.  Working with the bike folks and the grounds folks, getting enough secure bike storage around the building helps a lot.

 

To questions like that, I usually respond, "Must we?" and then start to make sure what they want to do won't compromise compliance or fire code or exiting or potentially damage the bike.  I presume they want to store the bikes in the waste room because it's more secure than outdoors.  If something goes wrong in the waste room, would they really want their bike in there?  Can you maintain exiting?  Can your hazardous waste haulers access what they need to access without tripping over bicycles?  Are they properly trained to be in the waste room?  They'll need to have at least awareness level training for hazardous waste operations and that has to be refreshed annually.  You can make it painful and bureaucratic - that might work to discourage them.

 

Hope this helps - just a few ideas off the top of my head.

 

Best,

Debbie

 

Debbie M. Decker, CCHO

Safety Manager

Department of Chemistry

University of California, Davis

122 Chemistry

1 Shields Ave.

Davis, CA  95616

(530)754-7964

(530)304-6728

dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu

 

Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction

that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions,

can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot."

 

 

 

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Leslie Coop

Sent: Monday, July 14, 2014 9:21 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU

Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Cal/OSHA Safety Sign-in Sheet Requirement

 

Faculty want to know: Is is okay to store bicycles in the same room as with chemical waste?

 

(They don't like my answer) 

 

Thanks!

 

Leslie Coop, MS, CCHO, CHMM

Chemical Hygiene Officer/ Stockroom Manager

Willamette University - 900 State Str - Salem, Oregon 97301

lcoop**At_Symbol_Here**willamette.edu - (501) 590-6026